[Open] Birthday Partying

[welcome_home]

Who: Nanako and Everyone else!
When: the afternoon of October 4th
Where: Nanshe's Temple
What: It's Nanako's 7th birthday! She's invited everyone over for cake.


[ The party is a little last minute, because Nanako hadn't exactly planned on having anything until a few days before, but it doesn't take much to make her happy and the decorating was simple enough to do, especially when she enlisted some of her friends for help.

Her temple is decorated with some streamers and colorful balloons in pink and purple, the doors swung open so people could go in and out as they wished, since the weather was still warm, even for October.

There's a birthday cake, too, although it's small and round and meant mostly for Nanako, seven candles placed carefully atop it, waiting to be blown out. Instead of making a cake big enough for everyone who might show up, she instead had asked for help baking cupcakes, some chocolate, some vanilla, the frosting in flavors of peanut butter or strawberry and mixed and matched between them.

Nanako herself is dressed up in a pink flowery dress, not quite so fancy as what she wore for the dinner party a few nights past, but something a little nicer than every day, her hair done up with pink ribbons. She looks a little nervous when the first few guests show up, unsure if anyone would really come, but once her friends start showing up, that's entirely forgotten as she is happy to see everyone who shows up to visit and happily bounces between all her guests to say hello and make sure they get a cupcake.

And if she looks like she's concentrating especially hard on her wish when she blows out her candles? Well. She's doing her best. Celebrating with her friends and almost-family here might not be the same as what her birthday might have been at home, but she's still happy for the chance, all the same. ]

Comments

[revolutionfalcon]

[I: Closed to Nanako]

[In the end, Nanako had asked Shun to come to the party, and he couldn't really turn that down considering he'd encouraged her to celebrate it. Finding something appropriate to get her last-minute was a little harder though, and the cat-shaped beanbag isn't exactly something he can hide easily or be subtle about.

But that just means he has to be a bit more careful with his entrance. Ultimately, he gets there a little bit early while things are still quiet, and teleports to a fairly secluded part of her temple ground before actually heading into the temple and finding the closest room to the main party area to hide the thing that he can manage without getting caught. Once that's been dealt with, he comes back to the main room to see if he can find Nanako herself.]

--

[II: OTA]

[Despite his lack of interest in parties, the fact that Nanako asked for him to be there means Shun is, however reluctantly, staying for the duration. He doesn't have a cupcake, but that might be because he's settled himself on the railing of one of the wooden walkways on the water and is throwing large pieces of what appears to be jerky or some other kind of preserved meat to the pelicans.

However, he's pretty easy to see from the main temple, especially considering his coat is trailing back over the railing in a very obvious way.]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako isn't hard to find, considering only a few people have shown up so far, but she's greeting them happily. When she spots Shun, her eyes light up and she immediately comes over to him. ]

Shun-oniichan! You came!

[revolutionfalcon]

[The shorter it takes, the better, and Shun raises a hand in some semblance of a greeting as she comes over.]

Of course I did. [Then, after a few moments, like he's forgotten the usual custom for this sort of thing:] Happy birthday.

[He nods back the way he came in.] I got you something, but it's big, so I put it in another room.

[...Because he didn't want anyone else to see it, but he's not mentioning that part.]

[skygaze]

[Though they met once, on his own arrival no less, Shun was a hard person to forget. He has a very imposing aura and Suou isn't sure what to think of him. Nanako has never said anything negative about the god. Seeing him show up to her party is strange since Shun really doesn't look the type to be at a seven year old's birthday party. But somehow he doesn't feel surprised by it.

Suou walks over, stopping just a couple feet short as he watches Shun feed the pelicans.]

Taking a break from the party?

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun's gaze turns to Suou as soon as he enters about a ten foot radius of him, observing the vaguely familiar face. Even if they haven't met for a while, there are certain details Shun tends to remember, among them that this guy was Nanako's shinki.]

I don't do well in crowds. [Shun throws a little more meat to a particularly small pelican off to one side who hasn't been having much luck so far.] I would have thought you'd be sticking close to Nanako.

[skygaze]

[ 01 - Party]

[Suou looks completely out of place but he's standing firm with supporting his bitty goddess and trying to make sure everything is going well. While he doesn't understand the value of a birthday he's not going to question. Nanako is happy and that is what counts. His dark monochromatic clothing and white hair contrasts against the brightly colored streamers and balloons. But that doesn't stop him from quickly going to fix any fallen streamers or other decor. Nanako and him had worked hard on decorating and he felt in charge of it. It was his duty to make sure they stay up.

If he's not putting out more cupcakes or fidgeting with streamers and balloons, he sticks to the far wall. It's a preferred place to watch with his arms crossed over his chest and a default expression usually consist of a frown. Sometimes he misses catching himself staring.]

[02 - Koi Pond]

[When he isn't hovering near Nanako, he's outside by the Koi pond to get some air and to make sure the fish are getting feed to. It's something he does often and tends to enjoy. But the usual social fish are hiding from view. Two of the balloons managed to bounce their way from the temple and into the center of pond.

Crouching on one of the rocks lining the pond, he's stretches dangerously over the water trying to reach out to the balloons but his fingers tips are just falling short. Of course, that just makes him that much more determine and focused on stretching further]

[3. Closed to Nanako - Prior to party.]

[Finishing up the balloons, he looks around for the little goddess. Everything seemed to be in order and the party was set to start soon. Suou may have helped himself to a cup cake or two a bit early but it was only because they were hard to resist. The evidence being the bit of frosting dotting a bit his cheek. They were messy-but really good.

Under his arm he's holding a messily wrapped gift. The effort was there but the final result only ended up in crumbled wrapping paper messily wrapped in tape.]

...Nanako?

Suou you cutie

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako's fussing nervously over last minute preparations, looking a little anxious about everything, but with the help of Suou and some of her other friends, they've gotten things as ready as they're going to. Now it's just waiting until people start to show up.

But at the sound of her shinki calling her name, she's quick to turn and give him her attention, smiling at him. ]

Hi, Suou! Did you need something?

dfdsfsdf noooo

[skygaze]

[It's not that he needs anything. Nanako already gives him everything he needs but being his god. He shakes his head slowly before glancing around the room. Is there really anywhere else to put any more decorations? He doesn't think so.]

I think everything is set for your party...

[He focuses his attention back to her. Stepping closer, he kneels down and holds the messily wrapped present out. Inside are two decent sized hair bows.]

I didn't really understand celebrating someone's birthday. It sounded strange when you mentioned it but...I am glad you exist. So it's a good thing to celebrate.

[He doesn't meet her eyes as he says it but he means every word. Nanako's birthday he understands. Not really any other one.]

[junkyarddog]

A - Closed to Nanako

[Ken hasn't attended a party someone personally invited him to since Hibiki's when they'd all been aged down to children, but his approach for it hasn't really changed since then. Scrounge up a nice present for the person who invited him, drag Chikusa along, and be far too excited over the prospect of cake.

When he'd been younger, he'd been less confident and not as good of a thief as he is now, so he hadn't been able to bring Hibiki anything spectacular. As a teenager, though, he has more resources - and Nanako's been nice to him in ways that make him want to do nice things back, so he's been using those resources to get her the nicest things he can that he thinks she'll like.

Of course, he doesn't know a whole lot about girls in general, or young girls in particular. But the fact that she's young does kind of help; after all, Ken figures, what kid doesn't look toys and sweets? So he's gotten her both. What's more, he actually bought them like a responsible person! Because stolen gifts might get her in trouble, and also a snatch and run might damage the things he wants to get her. (Of course, the money he used to buy it was definitely stolen, but...look, there's only so much you can ask of Ken. It's not like he has a job.)

He'd found some cute macarons in a sweet shop, and a stuffed animal he thinks Nanako might like. He's tucked both in a bag and made his way to the party, with Chikusa trailing along behind him. And as soon as they arrive, he makes a beeline for Nanako; hopefully she's not talking to anyone, because Ken's going to interrupt without a single thought if she is.]

I found some stuff laying around, byon. [And he holds out the bag to her. It's...not a party bag. It's just a big brown shopping bag. Ken apparently knows gifts should be wrapped in boxes or put in bags, but understands the letter of the law better than the spirit.] We don't need it, so since it's your birthday you can have it if you want, I guess.

[He's trying very hard to look casual and disinterested. But Nanako is a smart little girl; no one, especially someone like Ken, has brand new plush toys and cute, fresh macarons just lying around. Ken is just being a Dumb Boy. Besides, anyone can tell that he's more invested in this than he lets on - whereas he showed up unkempt and unwashed to Amaterasu's party, he's actually freshly bathed for this.]


B - OTA

[Ken isn't exactly at home at a beautiful temple like this, or at a little girl's birthday party, but the double-edged blessing of his animalistic nature is that he doesn't really perceive social niceties or the awkwardness that comes with not conforming to them. Others might be cognizant of his sticking out like a sore thumb, a teenage punk surrounded by happiness in soft pastels, but Ken seems perfectly comfortable. What's more, he's actually on his very best behavior today; despite longing looks at the dessert table, he's restrained himself to only three cupcakes, and hasn't been particularly messy.

Still, his overall social skills aren't much better than usual, so you may find yourself being openly stared at by a curious dog. Ken really doesn't know who else knows Nanako, and he's surveying the crowd.]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako spots him as he's making a beeline for her and fortunately she'd just finished talking to another friend so he doesn't even have to interrupt anyone. She beams happily when he approaches, glad to see that he came - and dragged Chikusa along too! The fact that he's cleaner than she's ever seen him also doesn't get missed and she looks a little surprised by it, but doesn't comment on all the effort the Dumb Boy clearly went through for her. He'd probably just get embarrassed. ]

Hi, Ken! You came! [ And then she blinks curiously at the bag he holds out to her, reaching out to take it. ] This is for me? Thank you, Ken!

[junkyarddog]

It's just stuff that was laying around, it's no big deal. [Ken's being Very Obviously Casual about it, while shooting glances at the bag. He's actually really excited to see what Nanako thinks of her presents, and very interested in her liking them, but of course he can't let on.

Well, not on purpose. But he's being wildly obvious on accident.]

[toremainbehind]

[01: OTA]

[It's not surprising to see Izumo at Nanako's party, especially since the young goddess may have even come to him to ask him for help baking desserts for the party. He can be found around at the party, not quite mingling with the others but still around to talk to all the same. Whether or not he brought his shinki, on the other hand, is a completely different question since he's not sure if he should have brought them but they could've tagged along anyway to meet Nanako.

Maybe.

He can be found still by the koi pond or somewhere inside near the food.]

[02: Closed to Nanako]

[He had come with a necklace for Nanako, especially since there was a rather more personal reason for it. It doesn't take long for him to find Nanako, coming up behind the young goddess.]

Nanako.

[welcome_home]

Izumo!

[ Spotting him as he arrived, Nanako comes to greet him with a bright smile, even if she'd just seen him a short while earlier as they finished up baking all the cupcakes for today. ]

Did you see the cupcakes? They look really yummy! Do you think everyone will like them?

[toremainbehind]

[He laughs.]

I do. Have you tried one of them yet?

[reformedsinner]

[Arrival - Nanako]

[Hakkai shows up aggressively on time, with a covered plate of cute petit fours adorned with a bright silver bow, a bandage on his left palm, and a white dragon curled around his shoulders.

He smiles brightly at Nanako, leaning down to offer her the plate with both hands.]

Hello, Nanako. Happy birthday!


[Party - OTA]

[After greeting the birthday girl, he's retreating to a corner of the party with one of the cupcakes, which he splits neatly in half. Half goes to the dragon.]

Don't eat that too fast, Jeep.

[The dragon nibbles around the edge, eyeing him, and Hakkai chuckles and takes a bite of his cupcake half.

Jeep is getting a little rounder. Either he's about to have a growth spurt, or Ayumu's cooking had had its effect.

He's also scattering crumbs down Hakkai's shoulder as he enthusiastically devours the cupcake.]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako beams at him when she sees him arrive, coming over to greet him - and his dragon, who she looks excited to see again.

When he bends down to offer her the pretty plate of petit fours, her eyes go wide with surprise and pleasure. ]

Hi, Hakkai! Ohhh! Are these for me? They're so pretty! Thank you!

[reformedsinner]

Ah ha ha, yes, they are. [Tiny cakes for the birthday of a very tiny young goddess....]

Although you seem to have plenty of cake already! Did you make those cupcakes yourself?

[clothes_make_the_man]

Closed to Nanako

[Nanako may be satisfied just by sharing cake with friends, but Forrest just isn't the sort of person to show up at a party without a gift. So when he arrives, it's with a neatly wrapped box adorned with a pink bow.]

Happy birthday, Nanako!

OTA

[Of course, there are probably other people here Forrest knows too, so he does a bit of mingling while the party is still going on. He spends a lot of time just strolling the grounds and admiring the colorful flowers, but he's happy enough to talk to anyone who might strike up a conversation.]

[welcome_home]

Forrest! [ She beams when she spots him, coming over to say hello and bouncing to a stop in excitement. ] Hello! I'm glad you came! And thank you!

[fuuthewind]

[ Quick visit - OTA]

[It was a bit strange for Fuujin to get a gift for anyone. Kaede was fairly certain he didn't know the little goddess well and she clearly made him uneasy but she's here per his request. Be it a invite being sent to the temple or stumbling upon a wandering paper caught by a timely guest of wind, the notice had reached the wind god.

Parties, much less a child's, were beneath him and he wouldn't dare be seen at such an event. Kaede on the other hand was sent to drop off the delivery. She peeks in curiously before walking through the temple trying not to draw too much attention to herself though that is difficult considering her arms are full with gifts, one of which being rather big.

Kaede perks when she locates what appears to be the gift table and places two signed gifts down neatly with the others. One large skinny present and a smaller box-shaped one containing two gifts inside. The large fan and blue wind chime both have a silvercharm representing who they're from attached.

With that, Kaede backs up and turns to take her leave out of the temple. Fuujin did tell her not to linger for too long.]

[welcome_home]

Kaede?

[ Nanako had almost missed her arrival at all, but she catches sight of the other shinki as she moves away from the present table. Nanako hadn't really expected to hear anything from the older gods, knowing how busy they were. And considering Fuujin's thoughts on most of the new gods, she wasn't sure he'd appreciate something like a birthday party to begin with. But spotting the other shinki, she still brightens happily and bounces over to her. ]

Hello! I didn't think I'd see you here! Did Fuujin come, too? [ She glances around curiously for the wind god. ]

[alchemists]

[01. Closed to Nanako ]

[ So this is what a birthday is like, Elfnein can't help but be very happy for her friend today. That being said she has a small gift wrapped box to give to the birthday girl. After trying to figure out what to get during the big shopping trip before the last party Elfnein got a set of matching bracelets for them to wear together. ]

Happy birthday!

[02. OTA ]

[ Elfnein is debating if she should eat a cupcake that was handed to her. It's the first time she's had this type of sweet so she has no idea where to even start. ]

[welcome_home]

Elfnein! [ Nanako smiles brightly when she spots her friend, coming over to say hello and throw her arms around her in an enthusiastic hug. ] You came! Hi!

[light_of_willpower]

[The invitation had definitely made Trunks smile. Then he panicked slightly, wondering what to get her for a present. BUT, some browsing and shopping on the near-shore, some talks with his Goddess (whose domain was children), and some thinking about his interactions with Nanako later and he hoped she'd like her gifts.

He'd also made sure to eat well before arriving, and to dress slightly nicer than in his usual clothing. More like what he wore when out on the Near Shore, albeit with a nicer shirt than his usual jacket or hoodie.

Arriving though, he has one big box wrapped up for Nanako and a smile.]

Happy Birthday Nanako! There is no way I won't come celebrate this with you, so thank you for the invite.

[The box is offered, and inside she has two presents, with a note. A cute blanket with "So you can have sweet dreams while you swim with your own koi" and a round plush fortune cat. The accompanying note reads "Wishing you all the good fortune."

Don't mind if he's nervous, hoping she'll like them.]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako brightens excitedly when she spots Trunks, coming over to greet him with a happy smile. ]

Trunks! Hi! I'm glad you could come! [ And then she accepts the brightly wrapped present with a look of pleased surprise. ] For me? Should I open it now? [ Some people seemed to get a little embarrassed about that, but she beams up at him in excited anticipation. ]